Part 50

50

"You have no right to judge this baby, Margareth. The one who is at fault is his mother. His mother is the sinner, but this child knows nothing. Even if he were asked and allowed to answer whether he wanted to be born from this woman, he certainly wouldn't want it because no child in the world wants to be born to a mother who has no heart and morals like her. Therefore, rather than wasting his life and being killed by his biological mother's hands, it's better for us to raise him. Hoping that when we grow old, he will be the one to take care of and protect us, just as we are protecting him today."

In truth, Margareth did not want to accept, but the last words of Tomas about their old age, of course, made her just accept it when her husband took the baby from the woman. Tomas hurriedly brought the baby back to the car because it was already late at night and the temperature outside was very cold.

Margareth could only resign herself as her husband took the baby. The woman just walked away as if she had no burden on her heart when her baby was taken by people she didn't know at all.

Tomas looked ecstatic, looking at the baby in his arms. He observed and checked the baby's condition.

"A girl," he said, turning to Margareth who was sitting beside him. "Who shall we name this little baby?" he asked, seeking his wife's opinion.

"Chelsea Febrika," Margareth replied indifferently, but she incorporated a name that had some similarity to her own and included her middle name.

An automatic smile appeared on Tomas's lips because his wife had rejected the arrival of the baby, but she still thought quickly to give her a name.

"All right, Chelsea Febrika, from today on, you are the daughter of Tomas and Margareth. We will make you happy and raise you well. We hope that someday you will grow up well and take care of us in our old age. Because no matter how long, Daddy will never be able to have a child. Your mother has accepted Daddy's many flaws very well, but of course, in our old age, we need you to take care of us.

It's not even impossible for Daddy to leave your mother first. With your presence, of course, Daddy will go peacefully later."

Margareth wiped away the tears flowing down her cheeks. Truly sweet memories, but very painful for her to remember the man who was still the champion in her heart. Honestly, until now, Margareth had not been able to replace Tomas's presence even though the man had so many flaws.

One of them was a child. But Margareth had never even thought of leaving him.

But one day, Margareth wanted to give a surprise to Tomas so that his company would grow rapidly. She dared to make an investment without him knowing that it was just a scam because Margareth did not understand anything about business.

Instead, she took a step that made her husband's company go bankrupt, and all the wealth they had was gone, leaving nothing to pay the outstanding salaries of the employees.

"Carlos, I've broken my promise to you," she whispered, imagining Tomas's face that always smiled at her. The man had never been angry because Margareth was the only precious thing he had. It's just that luxury had blinded Margareth's heart so much that she was able to hurt Tomas until his death.

If only time could be turned back, of course, Margareth wanted to go back to the time when her friend came to invest in her husband's company. In reality, it was her friend herself who had messed up her life like it was now.

Regretting this, Margareth could only sit alone in her room, crying until her heart eroded all the regret within her.

“Celine, can we talk for a moment?" Amber tried to catch up with Celine, who had just left the campus parking lot. The girl glanced briefly and shook her head.

"Please, Celine. There are some things I need to explain. I don't want our relationship to be strained just because of Vano."

"Just as you say?" Celine stopped in her tracks, giving Amber a sharp look. She casually said "just," but what happened that day had truly hurt her, betrayed by her own cousin.

"Okay, I want to apologize because what happened that day was really beyond my control because we were both under the influence of alcohol. That's not an excuse, Mbak (a polite way to address an older female), because as far as I know, Vano has never touched alcohol. Honestly, if you're the one who encouraged him to try drinking, so you both went crazy and almost did it, if I hadn't arrived. Where's your conscience when you know how much I love Vano? But we haven't got your approval, so the wedding couldn't take place yet. You also know how painful it is for me every time Vano says that your dad accuses me just like my dad.

You also know that I'm very afraid of losing Vano, but shamelessly, that night you took advantage of the situation when I left you both. Is that how you repay all the attention I've given you every time you're heartbroken and your engagements fail? I always come and be there to calm your heart, but what have you done to me?"

Celine's emotions started to boil. If this weren't the campus area, she would have raised her voice loudly, and her tears would surely have burst considering the horrifying incident a few days ago. Even though many days had passed, the terrifying memory still haunted Celine, and even now, she still avoided Vano, even though the incident had occurred under normal circumstances. Still, Celine considered it a grave mistake.

"It's better if we discuss this in a room, Celine," Vano said softly as he walked past the two women. Their very personal conversation, which even dragged his name, would surely become the subject of discussion on campus if overheard by other students.

Luckily, the parking lot was still empty earlier, so only Vano heard it. Celine didn't agree with Vano's suggestion, but she didn't prevent it either when Amber and the man followed her from behind.

"Are you sure you're going to campus in this condition?" Carlos sat next to Chelsea and stroked her long hair. All night, he had stayed in Chelsea's room as if there was no fear when Margareth found out about their special relationship, more than just being a couple.

Chelsea nodded softly. "Yes, Dad. I can't ask for permission again. I'm afraid there will be more tasks that I'll have to leave. Exams will be held soon, and I don't want that to happen."

"Alright then. If you feel stable enough to go to campus, I'll let you, but if you still feel that your body isn't up for outdoor activities, it's better to postpone going to campus. I'll ask Vano for your permission."

"No problem, I'm sure and strong enough to go to campus now."

"Alright, in that case, you can start packing, and I'll do the same. We'll leave together. I can't let you take public transportation just yet."

Chelsea agreed quickly. "Okay," she said before escorting Carlos out of the room. Now, they both appeared relaxed, no longer glancing around to find Margareth. They looked casual because they knew that Margareth wasn't Chelsea's biological mother, so there was no need to tiptoe around her feelings.

Chelsea was also tired of hiding behind the fact that she and Carlos were already married, and if she felt strong enough, she would find the opportunity and time to tell Carlos that Vano had known about their marriage all along.

Chelsea would also tell Carlos that there had been a special agreement between her and Vano at the beginning of their relationship to seek his approval for her and Celine. She hoped Carlos wouldn't be angry upon hearing this significant secret, although Chelsea was confident that Carlos wouldn't mind Vano's knowledge of their marriage.

However, the current problem was Chelsea's intention to help Vano get approval. Just hearing Celine's name, Carlos was already furious, let alone knowing that his wife was involved in trying to melt his heart.

Chelsea knew that the accident her mother had endured hadn't been fully explained, even though ten years had passed. The wound Carlos suffered might have started to heal with her presence, but the anger and resentment were still there, just like Chelsea, who still harbored resentment towards Margareth, even though as an adoptive child, she shouldn't be doing so. However, Margareth had raised her well, showing her care, even if all that care had started to disappear when Tomas lost his glory.

As an adoptive child, Chelsea should have been a bit more self-aware. Even if it was just a small fragment, the love was there, given by Margareth.

"Please find out about Kevin and Margareth, and also Revan. Later, I'll try to find photos of Kevin and Revan and send them to you. I don't want to know how you gather that information, but I want it before lunchtime, and I also want the university to issue a first warning letter to both of them for causing chaos and disturbing a student's comfort. One more thing, I want to know about a student named Indri, and if possible, arrange for me to meet her during lunch.

Carlos made a call, mentioning that there were many things he wanted to discuss with the girl. Chelsea wasn't sure who he was talking to, but his conversation made her hold back from entering the room.